CPActive champions meet with local candidates ahead of the NSW state election

As part of the CPActive Blaze the Trail campaign, CPActive champions held a ‘Day of Action’ event at the Allambie Heights Campus last week.

These young trail blazers took it upon themselves to invite local candidates from all parties in the upcoming state election to hear about the lived experience of cerebral palsy and to commit to build more inclusive school to work pathways for young people with disability.

CPA staff also had the chance to join in and hear directly from CPActive champions on the campaign and to help share the petition.

The young activists welcomed commitments from local candidates from across different parts of the political spectrum that, if elected, agreed to work with CPActive to make the pathways from school to work more accessible for people with disabilities.

The local candidates who pledged their support at the ‘Day of Action’ campaign event included:

• Toby Williams, Liberal candidate for Wakehurst
• Susan Sorensen, Animal Justice Party candidate for Wakehurst
• Matt Cross, Liberal candidate for Davidson
• Michael Regan, Independent candidate Wakehurst

These commitments from local candidates come just weeks after the NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns and Shadow Minister for Disability Kate Washington announced that if elected into government, they will:

1. Review supports for assessments at schools to ensure they are clear and consistent for young people with disabilities.
2. Explore pathways for people with disability to become teachers and support staff
3. Improve inclusive employment practices in NSW government departments

With almost 200 new petition signatures in one day, plus the commitment from so many candidates, the CPActive champions consider the Day of Action a success.

“It became a successful day getting so many connections and contacts. It is great to get the word out to the wider community about what a great initiative this campaign is and it’s potential to keep growing Australia wide.” said CPActive champion Eric Barrett.

Young activist Nicholas commented, “We really need every single person who reads this to join the campaign by signing the petition. By showing your support, you are strengthening the voices of people with lived experience. Every person who joins the campaign gets us a step closer to a better future with less barriers.”

There’s still time to get involved! Click here to sign the petition and share the campaign across your networks today.